Chapter five: A trip to the unknown.
Food. Check
Phone. Check.
Notebook. Check.
Bashing head against the wall because this is insane. Check.
Nerves of steel. Check.
A stupid fancy car for the ride. Check.
I went over the metaphorical list at least three times in my head before I convinced myself to step out of the house and get the weird supernatural stuff over with.
The same supernatural stuff that was a huge major factor on why I said a stupid 'deal' to Elias dunbirk just a few minutes ago. I mean, seriously who tells someone not to do something? Reverse psychology people!
Just as Elias stepped out of the house I had made a decision. I was going to talk to 'my 26 year old version'. Figure out if it's actually true, then find out why did I actually have to stay away from Him. Why would she actually tell me that when she was supposed to know better, seeing that she's me and all. So yeah, I was having a day of 'figuring my shit out'. The day I atleast have twice a month.
The whole way to the beach house I felt as if I had a multiple personality disorder, because part of me ( the smart, logical part which was sadly not the bigger part) wanted to cease whatever crap I'm getting myself into and drive straight to Austin's where I can either get kicked out or get yelled at because of his stupid weird rule of me not being there at the same time his step father is. but either way it sounded much better than whatever the hell I'm doing. Because even if my future self does exist, messing with my future doesn't sound like a good idea.
The other part ( the stupid, never-think-before-you-do part ) was screaming a why the hell not? A question which has many answers, all of which it choose to ignore because It was fucking rhetorical.
So yes, the second part won the battle because let's face it, that part takes about 99 percent of space.
I ran my tongue nervously over my lip piercing and parked the car two blocks away, partly becauseI needed the walk and I loved San Diego's sun more than I loved my Ferrari, and partly because I always like to pretend my ferrari was a beaten down, break down before getting to your destination car.
I could smell the ocean all the way there and kind of wished I parked farther because it was so relaxing I could have fall asleep right then and there.
Unfortunately I was there in no time and I was at the makeshift mailbox even faster. Throwing my bag on the grass infront of it, I sat down with a sigh, crossing my legs and eyeing the completely non threatening object in doubt, confusion and suspicion. When nothing happened ( because maybe I was kinda sorta hoping it would burst into flames ) I sighed pulling the notebook and the pencil I bought out of my back bag and sat Crisscross, breathing in and out steadily then touched my pencil to a clear page and wrote,
Hello..
I slammed the pen down on the sheet. Well, that's a new level of stupid, I instantly crunched the paper and threw it beside me. Then felt guilty for throwing an almost empty paper so I picked it up again, flattened it against my legs and crossed out the stupid previous hello. This time actually thinking about it before I started writing,
Firstly, I feel so stupid, so skittish and so uncomfortable.
Secondly, this is so stupid, so sketchy and so out of my comfort zone.
Hence, me repeating almost the same sentence twice so let's get this over with. I know it's silly, but I am going on a huge instenct when I say there's a tiny stupid part of me that actually believe you? I don't know. I don't know how this works. Why me. Us.
But I do know you weren't actually supposed to say, stay away from Elias. Because seriously? Might as well dangle a fish infront of a cat, and expect her to turn the other cheek.
So why? I wanna know why you said that.
And That's all I guess.
P.s. I am barely keeping myself from asking a shit ton of questions about my future. I deserve a patience medal I swear.
I slammed the pen for a second time, just for theatrics this time. I wasn't sure about it, but I Also wasn't an expert in how to talk to your future self so it would have to do. I folded the wrinkled paper and placed it in the Mailbox. Pulling my hand back quickly in fear it would get sucked in whatever invesible hole connecting the two verses.
Then I waited.
I have to admit, I was kind of expecting a slow creepy melody rising in volume to match with the rising cloud of dark grey smoke surrounding the Mailbox. black sparkles will fly around the Letter as it rises into the air and magically swift Into a void, invesible to bare eyes. Then the smoke would fade along with the back music and a Letter from the future will appear in the box.
Yeah, Nothing happened.
For 15 minutes and 26 seconds I sat there waiting for anything to happen, anything to give me any kind of hope that whoever responded to my letter wasn't Austin or some stupid messed up person, but..
Nothing happened.
My legs were getting cramped and my back hurt and I almost tore the damn pretentious mailbox apart but I couldn't find it in me and stood up to prevent myself from doing any thing stupid just as my phone rang through the silence and I fetched it from the back pocket.
A smile immediately overtook my face as I read Zoe's name.
I placed the phone on my ear with a shit eating grin " you've reached the porn tech support, how may I help you ma'am "
" you may start by getting a sexy voiced male instead for starters, would have been a nice welcome " was her instant respond. her voice sounded muffled and there was noise beside her that I hardly got what she was saying.
" Dude, I have the sexiest voice ever " I said walking a bit towards the beach but keeping an eye on the mailbox just in case.
the noise on the other side got louder and I'm pretty sure she said something but I didn't hear anything. " what was that? " I asked pressing the phone farther on my ear.
she groaned " SHUT THE FUCK UP, I'M ON THE FUCKING PHONE, YOU MOTHERFUCKERS "
Jesus, my ears.
The noise actually subsided and I was left half impressed, half deaf.
" So, what's up? " she asked.
Zoe was my bestfriend of almost ten years now. I met her in grade four when she actually tried to steel my cookies. She was a year older, in college majoring in psychology, but was a bit on the wild side, partied more than she breathed and showed up at my house drunk too many times than I could count.
She was upon my most important people list, and I loved the shit out of her.
" Nothing much. just getting messages from the future, getting sucked in unrequited love and being roped into searching for a messing person. " I said smiling, still keeping an eye on the Mailbox.
" Sounds eventful." she hummed, a smile in her voice. " tell me you're not too busy for a party at 9 tonight. "
I would have said no without hesitation. I loved partying with Zoe, and no one cracks me up like her when drink, but there's only too many parties I can go to before I get bored. And I went to four already and the year was just starting. My last year of highschool. But then again, I know we haven't spoken terms yet, but I knew some of Elias's sister, Leah's friends go to the same college as Zoe, and there's a fifty fifty chance they are going to be at the party. And he have to start somewhere. Why not start by asking shit drunk ex- friends about info? " Count me in. Can I bring someone? "
" Sure, Austin? " her answer came a Little too excited.
" No. " mine was a Little bit too quiet.
" Damn, I missed the depressed idiot, but sure whatever. bring anyone. it's invites only, though so come get me from my apartment before you go. I will text you when I am Ready? "
" you got it. see you later, then."
" later, babe. " I hang up the phone, putting it back in my pocket, and with a heavy sigh started the small walk back to the Mailbox.
when I reached it I had every intention of fetching back my paper tearing the shit out of it and getting the hell out of here with no further thoughts about my nonexistent future self.
well, that plan went out the window because when I reached inside it there was nothing. No wrinkled paper, no letter from my future self, nothing. I panicked. and I mean fully freaked out searching the small shoe box frantically as if it contained a secret door that led to a secret chamber, but I found nothing. I searched the grass around the mailbox because it might have fallen out but nothing.
Frustration felled me up and I groaned a Little too loudly. this is getting too exhausting for me. I don't do this frustrating shit. " alright, you stupid mailbox. " I glared at that said Mailbox, Taking a very sharp intake of breath. " you want the fucking letter. take it. it's yours you stupid shit, and I don't even want any future letters in return you dump object. " then for emphasis I kicked the table leg ( which we used to make the mailbox ) almost broke my toes and then stormed out of this stupid place.
the thing is, though, my exit would have been a lot more dramatic if it weren't for my dad's car parking in front of the house.
I don't know why I did it. I really don't, but I found myself taking cover by the side of the house so I couldn't be seen. Dad never came to the beach house except with me or with some of his friends, more importantly he was supposed to be at his company for a ' software ' problem.
I remember the sound of a car last Monday when I first put the Letter. Okay, maybe he does come here, with his female company. But there was something about how he parked the car. Snappy and hasty, as if he couldn't get it over and done with fast enough. And he didn't have anyone in the passenger seat of his ridiculously flashy suv.
I took a step forward to come out and see if he is okay when another car rolled over, parking in the same manner. I hid back behind the wall watching as dad got out slamming his car door, just as a woman stepped out of the other car. A stunning woman with brown hair that reached her hips and a body with curves to die for. she was in a black dress that did her the utmost justice and her eyes was the lightest blue I Have ever seen. In just a matter of seconds dad was infront of her. His face red with anger, and something I couldn't see from where I stood. Then he started talking. All I heard was snippets but it was enough for the gears in my head to whirl and twist and generaly be a huge pain in the ass. Or head.
"... Can't do.."
".. you're doing.."
"... Not trying to do... "
"... Do you take me for?.."
" really? You're giving me that?.."
I realize it isn't much, but Dad's anger was a tip off and I just couldn't figure what was happening. Who was that woman? what in the actual hell is going on ?
Silence settled for a moment, and the woman said something too low to reach my ears. She might have well shouted her heart contents out because whatever she said had forced the fight out of Dad. He was breathing heavily, that much I could see. The air around them prickled with intensity and _to judge by my Dad's face_ too many things left unsaid.
He said something.
She closed up the space between them cupping his face with both of her hands.
He leaned Into her touch, weirdly enough not closing his eyes to feel her angelic like touch that he has been dreaming about ever since he first laid eyes on her.
Okay I might be watching too many movies.
she moved close whispering something that_ regrefully_ I was still too far to hear. But I read the words 'can't be undone' and ' as long as I live' on her lips
I glanced at the bush nearby and wondered if I could sneak behind. Fuck I was so curious I felt like I am about to burst.
But then she kissed him
and It didn't take a genius to figure out they won't be doing anymore talking.
So with fake gagging noise that I was shocked to find I didn't really mean I hid back behind the wall, completey out of sight. Wondering who the hell is she. Wondering if she means something to my dad because he wasn't the type to get angry. Ever. Not when I 'accidently' used his files when me and Zoe were playing CEO, and then accidently forgot where they are. Not when I once again accidently spilled coffee over his newly bought designer suit and certainly not when I told him that I would have prefered a Beaten truck over the ferrari. He was always calm. With a small self satisfied smile on his face that never changed no matter what was on his mind. So if she made him angry, she's gotta be more than a bubblegum.
Or maybe I was reading too much Into it, but one thing I knew, I did not want to be seen and I certainly did not wanna hang around and see where their make out session would take them.
so I had to walk down the beach behind the lined up beach houses, then weaved my way through them and Into the street where I parked my car and then I sat there not knowing what to do with what I just saw. Dad has never been in a serious relationship ever before. He never brought a woman home twice and he never kept anything from me. the fact that he looks like he might be even remotly interested in someone shocks me. And why was he angry? What shook him that much? Why did he let her Kiss him when only a minute earlier he was shouting his head off at her? Why did he kiss her back?
MY curiosity was suffering at this point under the pressure of the piled up questions and a weary sigh escaped my lips
I'm not going to jump to conclusions yet. I'm not going to think about it until I have a conversation with him. which won't happen tonight since he has a 'software problem' and I have a party.
turns out I'm gonna need that party after all.
so I fetched my phone and called Elias. I would usually text him because of the whole I used to hate his guts thing but this whole daddy has a lover thing is messing with my mind so I called him.
he answered on the second ring. " Stevens. are you feeling well? "
I rolled my eyes " No, Obviously, I'm talking to you. "
there was a laugh and then there was a whole lot of shuffling then it got quiet " And here I thought we would actually try to be civil after that sweet heart to heart we had earlier. "
" Heart to heart? do boys even say these stuff? " There was another round of shuffling and then I heard him groan. " what are you doing? " Silence followed for a while but then there was the sound of a door slamming.
" I will have you know men do say heart to heart. It's the most manly phrase out there. "
" If it makes you sleep at Night. " I said flipantly, with the noise he was making. " Seriously what are you doing?"
" remember when you said I shout stop being dump and stubborn and just suck it up and search Leah's room? "
I furrowed my eyebrows, going back through the whole conversation from a few hours ago. " I said no such thing. "
He completly ignored me." I did it. I was just in her room. Fucking mistake, I swear. It's aweful! fuck, who even_ and those things_ She's my sister! It's her room! Why? Just why?"
" You're losing me, buddy. " I interrupted His mental break down, trying as best as I can to keep the amusement out of my voice." what was in there? Does she have a secret dungeon in her closet, where she keeps unsuspecting victims? "
He was quiet, too quiet.
" Holy shit! She does?" I screeched completly repulsed by the possibilty.
" No, Stevens, jeez. She just have too many things I would have died a happy man if I didn't know my sister had. "
MY curiousity peaked." Like what?"
He was silent long enough to make me think he wouldn't answer before finally, " she keeps hand cuffs. " he whispered quite dramatically, Which made me smile a Little.
Hand cuffs. Pfft.
" maybe she is just super paranoid? " I tried. Even though I didn't really have to. Everyone knew about his sister's love for.. Kinky intercourse.
He proved me right when he said, " for my sanity. I am going to pretend you're right."
" So did you find anything? "
" I didn't get thought the whole room. The condom curtain in her closet, was the deal breaker."
I barely kept myself from laughing. " wow, That's.. Very understandable. "
" well, I can now consider the possibility of her simply leaving the house at the time and accidentally tripping in some guy's pants. " his voice sounded so disgusted and I couldn't help but smile.
" must be some pants if it kept her hooked for over five months " I snickerd, and was greated by a very heavy silence on the other end. I cleared my throat. " anyway.. I can help search for the rest of the room if you would like? "
There was another moment of silence where I thought he actually hang up when he finally spoke. "yeah, actually. that would be great. " he said and I kept quiet, completely forgetting the reason I actually called until he spoke. " so, Is there a reason you actually called or you just wanted to hear the voice of the person who you do not hate at all. "
" I knew I would regret saying that." I sighed loudly. " but anyways, there's a college party today. And I was wondering if some of leah's old friends would be there. Because you know they might know something. "
" you don't waste anytime, do you? " he seemed amused as he spoke, and it was really remarkable how vividly I could imagine that smirk of his. " of course, I'll be your date, sweetheart. "
" call it a date again and I'm going to render you incapable of having children. "
he laughed again " got it, Stevens. just don't threaten my boys. what time is the party? "
" be ready at seven I'll pick you up. "
" wait, why can't I pick you up? "
I rolled my eyes. so typical " because we're going over a friend's because she have the invites. "
he sighed " alright, just because you drive a Ferrari. "
I snorted. " see you in an hour, Elias. "
" later, Stevens. "
I hang up the phone and get in the car. weirdly though, I don't think about my dad the whole ride home.